Portugal’s Prime Minister, Antonio Costa, has announced his resignation from office following a corruption scandal related to energy contracts.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Costa said, “The duties of prime minister are not compatible with any suspicion of my integrity. In these circumstances, I have presented my resignation to the president of the Republic.”
This decision came shortly after Portuguese police arrested his chief of staff and conducted raids on various public buildings and properties as part of a widespread corruption investigation.
The state prosecutor’s office revealed that the Supreme Court was also examining the suspects’ “use of the prime minister’s name and his involvement” in the practices being investigated.
António Costa, Portugal’s Socialist leader since 2015, defended his innocence and expressed his trust in the justice system.
He stated, “I want to say eye to eye to the Portuguese, that my conscience is clear of any illicit or censured act. If there are suspicions, then the judicial authorities are free to look into them … I am not above the law.”
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is expected to accept Costa’s resignation.
Arrest warrants were issued for Vítor Escária, Costa’s chief of staff, the mayor of Sines, and three others due to concerns about their potential flight risk and the need to protect evidence, according to the prosecutor’s office.
Notably, the Minister of Infrastructure, João Galamba, and the head of the country’s environmental agency were among the suspects.
The investigation revolves around alleged malfeasance, corruption of elected officials, and influence peddling related to lithium mine concessions near Portugal’s northern border with Spain, as well as plans for a green hydrogen plant and data center in Sines on the south coast.
The raids extended to the premises of the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Infrastructure, the Sines town council, private residences, and offices.
Costa mentioned that he had no prior indication that he was under legal scrutiny, stating, “This is a phase of my life that comes to an end.”
Antonio Costa has served as the Prime Minister of Portugal since 2015 and is of Indian and Portuguese heritage.
